Bhubaneswar: The Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department has called upon all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to actively observe the fortnight-long Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) – 2025 campaign from September 17 to October 2, 2025, under the spirit of “Swachhotsav.”
Since its inception in 2017, Swachhata Hi Seva has evolved into a Jan Andolan (people’s movement), strengthening voluntarism and collective citizen action towards the vision of a clean and sustainable India. Over the years, the campaign has grown in scale and impact, inspiring millions of citizens to contribute their time and effort for swachhata in their surroundings.
This year, the campaign will be launched nationwide on 17th September 2025, with a series of activities to encourage citizen participation. The highlight of the campaign will be the ‘Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ programme on September 25, 2025 at 8:00 A.M., where citizens across the country will dedicate one hour of ‘Shramdaan’, reaffirming the message that cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility.
The campaign will conclude on October 2, 2025, observed as Swachh Bharat Diwas on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
Key focus areas of SHS – 2025 include:
Transformation of Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs): Identification, mapping, and time-bound clearance of difficult and dirty spots across ULBs.
Clean Public Spaces: Ensuring high standards of cleanliness in institutions, establishments, markets, and high-footfall areas.
Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivirs: Organising health check-up camps for sanitation workers and linking them with welfare schemes to ensure their safety and dignity.
Clean Green Utsav: Promoting eco-friendly practices, waste segregation, and zero-waste celebrations in festivals and public gatherings.
Advocacy & Citizen Engagement: Campaigns on Waste to Art initiatives, Clean Street Food drives, and promotion of RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Centres to encourage circular economy practices.
The H&UD Department has directed all ULBs to mobilise resident welfare associations, self-help groups (SHGs), community-based organisations, market associations, school and college students, and youth volunteers to participate in large numbers.
Speaking on it Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee said “Swachhata Hi Seva is not just a campaign, but a people’s festival of responsibility. ‘Swachhotsav’ embodies the spirit of community participation, dignity of labour, and environmental consciousness. I urge all Urban Local Bodies to transform this fortnight into a celebration of cleanliness and inspire every citizen to contribute meaningfully towards making our cities healthier, greener and more sustainable.”
